Shutdown delays plans to house federal prisoners in Stephenson County

FREEPORT — A proposal to house federal inmates at the Stephenson County Jail might have hit a snag in the ongoing federal government shutdown.

“It’s going to cause a delay because the people negotiating for us work with the U.S. Marshals Service,” said Stephenson County Board Chairman Bill Hadley. “I just hope this stalemate out in Washington gets settled so we can move things along, but it is affecting the state and the county, as well.”

Housing federal inmates is an attempt to rehire laid-off staff while also raising revenue for the county. The inmates are in prison for crimes ranging from robbery and drug offenses to white-collar crimes.

“We are trying to bring back a number of officers who were laid off in 2010,” said Stephenson County Sheriff Dave Snyders. “Some will be laid-off officers and some will be new ones who would replace those who found work already.”

Snyders said the move would allow the county to hire six officers, increasing the ranks to 29. The number to be considered fully staffed is 32.

“We’re at 23 right now,” Snyders said. “That is not good. The consequences are a lack of manpower to adequately cover a facility that size. The number of inmates we accept is reduced and it could become a safety issue. It could become a liability issue eventually.”

Snyders said overtime has also become both a logistical and financial issue because of lack of staff.

“We typically have officers on overtime on a weekly basis,” Snyders said. “If we have a vacation or someone is sick, it puts the numbers down to unacceptable levels. We have to bring in other officers to cover shifts.”

Stephenson County housed federal inmates from 2000 until 2010 before ending the program because of staff cuts. The federal government pays local facilities to house inmates, but the daily rate Stephenson County would receive has not been negotiated.

Snyders said the county has submitted a contract and information and is awaiting word from the U.S. Marshals Service on when the program can begin.

“I’m still optimistic we can have a deal in place by Dec. 1,” Snyders said. “If not by then, hopefully shortly after.”